This Week

Lenten Soup and Discussion

Sundays through March 29

Thanks to last weekend's freezing rain, we have moved our Lenten series a week later than originally scheduled, as shown below. Over the next four Sundays, we will spend time reflecting on our congregation’s sixty years of ministry—in Annandale, in Fairfax County, in Virginia, and throughout the world. Each session will be shaped by the newsletters, annual reports, photographs, and historic items lovingly tended in our church archive. Meals begin at 5:00 and the discussions at 5:30. Themes, drawn from the "generational theory" research of William Strauss and Neil Howe, will include:

March 8: Calling to All the People, “The Prophets”—1955-1970

March 15: The Middle Years, “The Nomads”—1970-1988

March 22: Becoming Little River, “The Heroes”—1988-2000

March 29: Radical Hospitality, “The Artists”—2000-2014

To help with cleanup, you are encouraged to bring your own dish and utensils. Volunteers are also encouraged to help set up, provide soup or bread, or help clean up. Please sign up in the narthex or contact
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.

Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast

Now until Easter

Last year, over 6,000 people the world over welcomed a day-by-day opportunity to fast from carbon as their Lenten discipline. The fast, initiated by the United Church of Christ and endorsed by Episcopalians, gives people of every Christian perspective – and people who were not Christians – an opportunity to become more conscious and conscientious in their daily lives. For more information and to sign up, visit the Carbon Fast website.

Coming Soon

Holy Week and Easter

Sunday, March 29-Sunday, April 5

Our Lenten journey comes to a close during Holy Week, which begins on Palm Sunday (March 29). We will have special evening services on Maundy Thursday (April 2) and Good Friday (April 3).

We will celebrate the glory of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday (April 5) at our outdoor sunrise service at 6:30, as well as at our 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. services. These special services only come around once a year, so be sure to mark your calendars!

Palm Parade

Sunday, March 29

All children and youth are invited to participate in the Palm Parade on Palm Sunday, March 29 at 9:30 a.m. Please meet Ashton Streavig in the choir room at 9:00 a.m. to receive instructions and palms.

First Second Friday: Love Your Mother (Earth)!

Sunday, April 10

Because the first Friday of April is Good Friday, next month's children’s-night-out program moves to forward a week to April 10, when the theme will be Love Your Mother (Earth)! As always, volunteers provide creative and exciting entertainment and a meal for the children in a safe and fun atmosphere at the church. First Friday takes place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. It is for children aged six months through 12 years. All children in our community are welcome, whether or not their families attend Little River UCC. Tell your friends and family!

Register online here or between church services at the table in the narthex. If you’ve already completed a registration form for the 2014-15 program year, please
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to let us know your child(ren) will be attending. The cost is $15 per child, with a family maximum of $30. If you pre-register by Easter Sunday, April 5, the cost is $10 with a family maximum of $25.

Envisioning Our Future: "For the Living of These Days"

Sundays, April 12-26

This Eastertide, we as a church will be prayerfully considering God’s call for our congregation both now and in the years to come. Over three weeks, we will gather for sessions after both Sunday worship services. Each week we will focus on one of three questions: Who are we? What is God calling us to do and be? Who are our neighbors? Please be sure to attend, as your presence is vital for this process!

Hands-On Mission Project: Environmental Cleanup

Wednesday, April 29

Details for this environmental justice cleanup project are in the works! Please hold the the early afternoon of Wednesday, April 29 for a congregation-wide event!

Confirmation Sunday

Sunday, May 17

Come celebrate with this year’s Confirmation Class as they share their faith with us and consider what membership in a congregation like Little River UCC means in such a time as this.

Ongoing

Drivers for Greenspring Residents

Each Sunday one or more volunteers drives residents of Greenspring to church for the 11 a.m. service. Most are long-time members who no longer drive. Being able to be with us on Sunday morning means a great deal to each of them. They sometimes come with a walker, but nothing more cumbersome. Because some of our faithful drivers have had to take a break, we need more drivers.

Drivers receive names of possible riders a few days in advance, then calls them to make arrangements. Our goal is to have enough drivers so no one has to drive more than once every month of two. The schedule is worked out around the availability of the drivers – no one is assigned a Sunday when they might have another responsibility. If you can help out, please contact
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. 3/13

For Prospective Liturgists

If you would like to volunteer to be a liturgist, the Deacons invite you to use the Internet service SignUpGenius. The Deacons can send you a link to sign up online. Otherwise, please contact
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to sign up. 3/01

Footsteps to Switzerland

Monday-Saturday, July 13-25

It's not too late to join the Footsteps Switzerland trip on July 13-25. Rev. Lindsey will help lead the study of our religious roots, and we will get to ride the special Glacier Express across the Alps! We now have enough participants to make the trip a go, but we are eager for more members of the congregation and their friends to join in this experience. If interested, please contact www.reformationtours.com or Robert Lingo.

Church Council News

The Church Council met on Wednesday, February 11.

The Ministry Board met on Wednesday, March 4.

The Governance Board met on Wednesday, March 11.

The next meeting of the Governance Board will be held on Wednesday, April 8, at 7:30. An agenda will be posted a few days before the meeting.